I may have found my new favorite walk in LaPorte County. Most of my walks are pretty boring, I either walk down my street to the end and back (which is 2.5 miles) or I walk around Downtown Michigan City when I’m at work (as long as I want it to be, but usually a 1.5 miles)
Recently, after dropping off my kids at their grandparents’ house in Chesterton, I decided to stop by Bluhm County Park in Westville since it was halfway. It was a nice sunny day, with about two hours of daylight left, and I still needed to get my walk in. Driving all the way home and then walking down my street did not appeal.
Walking down my street is all right, but lately, it’s become trying. The walk is easy enough, that’s fine. But I don’t know if it’s just me, or what, but the drivers who tend to drive down 400 W in LaPorte have gotten worse in recent months. They drive 60-70mph down this country road that I treat as my sidewalk. They don’t even slow down when they see me (some people even speed up). When I first started walking down the street, I would wave at people, and they’d wave back. No one really waves anymore. It might be a reflection of the larger problems in America right now, but simply walking down my generally quiet country road now feels risky and dangerous because the drivers simply don’t care about common courtesy anymore.
So, I’ve been trying to find alternative walks that are close to my house.
Bluhm County Park is a former farm that was donated to the county when the owners died a while ago. Donated in 1992 by Gayle and Lucille Bluhm. The Park has 96 acres of spring wildflowers, upland forest, wetland, prairie, and a pond. It’s been developed into a lovely, free, and public park with multiple features. There are several developed and paved walking trails, kids’ play equipment, shelters for rent, bathrooms, and even a very nice-looking dog park. I applaud the county and Westville – the park is well-maintained.
For my first walk, I took the paved marshland walk. It was a lovely afternoon, the sun was low on the horizon, and it wasn’t too hot. The cicadas were out in full force. As I got further and further away from the road, I started to hear what has started to become my favorite noise: nothing at all.
It was so peaceful walking through those fields and marshes with just the sounds of the bugs and birds. The silence was wonderful. I never have complete silence at my house; I live too close to the Indiana Toll Road for that. I walked the path until it stopped at a woodland, but decided to keep going. The woodland part of the walk was lovely, though the mosquitoes couldn’t believe their luck at the snack they suddenly found themselves enjoying.
I walked through the woods to the end of the path and turned around, returning the way I came. I walked the other way around the marsh/pond area and soon found myself back in the parking lot. In total, about 1.25 miles.
It was one of the best walks I’ve experienced in quite a while, mostly for how quiet and peaceful it was out there in Westville. I liked it so much, I’ve been back since with my wife for another walk. Next, I’d like to add some distance with the Lincoln Memorial Trail at the other side of the park.
When my new Irish Setter puppy arrives in a few weeks, I look forward to taking him for walks here and joining the dog park so he can get some run and play in with other dogs. It looks like the perfect place for that. The only downside with the park is that it takes about 15 minutes to get there, down Indiana Route 2, which can be slow going if you’re in a hurry.
But my lovely, slow experience in the park is a great reminder that slowing down and enjoying the pockets of nature we have in LaPorte County is a wonderful thing. I can’t wait to go back. I’ll try to do this walk at least once a week.
Here’s a map of the trails with distances if you’re curious:
